Sofia’s lips trembled violently as her tears flowed faster. She reached out, trying to grab Luca’s sleeve. “Luca, it’s not like that. Please let me explain…”
Luca took a step back, easily evading her touch.
“I am so disappointed in you.” His voice sounded hollow, as if echoing from a great distance—exhausted, drained, and completely done. “This wedding… is off.”
Sofia’s face drained of color before turning a flushed, angry red. She clutched her stomach, her voice cracking as she shrieked, “Off? I am carrying your baby! How can you treat me like this? Luca, do you have a single shred of conscience?”
My mother quickly rushed forward, grabbing Luca’s arm. Her voice was hushed but desperate, her lips shaking with panic. “Luca, please calm down. Let’s just finish the ceremony first. Don’t make us a laughingstock in front of everyone.”
“You and Sofia have been together for so many years. There’s no need to throw around reckless words over a petty argument. You’ll regret this later!”
My father hurried over as well, trying to look stern but failing to hide the desperation in his tone. “Exactly, Luca. Whatever it is, we can talk about it at home. Look at all the relatives and friends watching us today…”
Luca took a deep breath, shaking his head. His voice was quiet but absolute. “I won’t regret it.”
Sofia’s crying escalated into full-blown wailing. She collapsed against the couch, sobbing so hard she could barely catch her breath.
Leo, who had been standing tentatively by my side watching the chaos, suddenly wrenched his hand from mine and ran over to her. He threw his tiny arms around Sofia’s legs, looking up at her with tearful eyes. “Aunt Sofia, don’t cry! Leo loves you! Leo will protect you!”
Sofia looked down at Leo, her eyes filled with absolute venom and madness. She violently shoved him away, screaming at the top of her lungs, “This is all your fault! Everything is ruined because of your big mouth!”
The force of her shove sent Leo flying backward. The back of his head slammed hard against the sharp metal armrest of the couch.
A sickening thud echoed through the room.
Blood immediately began to pool.
“Leo!”
I lost my mind. Shoving my way through, I gathered him into my arms. A deep gash had opened on the back of his head, crimson blood soaking through his hair. His face was deathly pale, his eyes tightly shut, his lips twitching weakly.
“Leo, look at Mom, look at Mom…” My voice cracked, my hands shaking uncontrollably as I held him tight against my chest and bolted for the exit.
Behind me, Luca’s voice rang out, cold as ice. “Sofia, we are completely done.”
The sound of his heavy footsteps hurried after me.
Behind him, Sofia screamed in absolute desperation, “Luca! If you dare walk out with those two today, I will kill myself! I’ll take your baby to the grave with me!”
The footsteps behind me abruptly stopped.
I didn’t look back.
Leo’s blood dripped onto my dress, mixing with the stale red wine stains. I could no longer tell what was wine and what was blood. I just held him as tight as I could and ran toward the hospital with everything I had.
While Leo was getting stitches, I stood outside the ER, my entire body shivering. My hands and clothes were covered in his blood. Staring at the stains, my mind kept replaying that awful thud over and over again.
Four stitches.
The doctor said we brought him in just in time, so there was no permanent damage, but we needed to monitor him closely for any signs of a concussion.